In November 1969, he was ordained a deacon. From 1970, he served as deacon at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Kanda, Tokyo. In 1972, he was ordained a priest and appointed to the parish of Toyohashi, his birthplace. Following the death of his wife, he adopted her last name (Nushiro) according to Japanese custom.

His Eminence is a devout student of Church Fathers, especially Greek and Russian writers. For believers he has written several brochures about their teachings in Japanese, as well as publications that focused on daily reading and theological issues. In 2005, Metr. Daniel blessed the founding of a monastery for men near the Resurrection Cathedral in Tokyo.

On January 27, 2009, Metr. Daniel participated in the Local Council of the Russian Orthodox Church that elected Metr. Kyrill of Smolensk and Kaliningrad the successor to the late Patr. Alexei II. Metr. Daniel was a member of the Presidium of the Local Council.